Ultrasound for Surgical Cranial Applications

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to equipment and procedures in the field of surgery and/or diagnostics and, more particularly, to instruments, systems, and methods for undertaking surgical and/or diagnostic procedures that involve and/or are in proximity to the brain, e.g., cranial procedures and/or surgery. The disclosed devices generally include a handle member and an elongated probe that includes an ultrasound transducer. The devices may be used in conjunction with K-wires/guidewires, tubular members, e.g., EVD catheters and/or ventricular drains, endoscopes/cameras, and accessory items such as curettes, probes, knives, suction devices, scissors, cautery units, forceps, grasping devices and the like.

1 . A device for use in cranial procedures comprising:
 a. a handle member;   b. an elongated probe extending from and mounted with respect to the handle member, the elongated probe supporting an ultrasound transducer for use in obtaining ultrasound images for use in determining the location of the elongated probe relative to surrounding anatomical structures or features.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated probe is detachably connected relative to the handle member. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle member defines a guide channel that is sized and configured for receipt of a K-wire or guidewire. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the K-wire or guidewire is characterized by one or more of the following characteristics: flexibility, rigidity, sharpness, bluntness and threading. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the guide channel is sized and configured to permit the K-wire or guidewire to run alongside the elongated probe. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is oriented in at least one of the following orientations: perpendicular or substantially perpendicular relative to the axis of the elongated probe, axial or substantially axial relative to the axis of the elongated probe, or angled relative to the axis of the elongated probe. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated probe is sized and configured to releasably support a tubular member. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the tubular member is selected from the group consisting of an EVD catheter and a ventricular drain. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the EVD catheter or the ventricular drain defines an opening, channel, window or other structural feature that permits unobstructed ultrasound imaging from the ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated probe is adapted to interact with member selected from the group consisting of a curette, a probe, a knife, a suction device, a scissor, a cautery unit, forceps and a grasping device. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the curette, probe, knife, suction device, scissor, cautery unit, forceps and grasping device is adapted to be detachably connected to the elongated probe. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one hollow receiver member mounted with respect to the elongated probe;
 wherein the at least one hollow receiver member is configured and dimensioned to receive a K-wire or guidewire. 
 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one hollow receiver member includes a first hollow receiver member and a second hollow receiver member mounted with respect to the elongated probe, each hollow receiver member configured and dimensioned to receive a K-wire or guidewire; and wherein the first hollow receiver member is mounted with respect to a distal portion of the elongated probe and the second hollow receiver member is mounted with respect to a proximal end of the elongated probe. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one hollow receiver member extends from a distal portion of the elongated probe to a proximal end of the elongated probe. 
     
     
         15 . A system for use in cranial procedures comprising:
 a. a device that includes a handle member, and an elongated probe extending from and mounted with respect to the handle member, the elongated probe supporting an ultrasound transducer for use in obtaining ultrasound images for use in determining the location of the elongated probe relative to surrounding anatomical structures or features; and   b. a tubular member releasably supported by the elongated probe.   
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein the tubular member is an EVD catheter or a ventricular drain. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein the EVD catheter or the ventricular drain defines an opening, channel, window or other structural feature that permits unobstructed ultrasound imaging from the ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 15 , wherein the handle member defines a guide channel and wherein the system further comprises a K-wire or guidewire removably positioned in the guide channel. 
     
     
         19 . A method for performing a cranial procedure, comprising:
 a. providing a device that includes a handle member, and an elongated probe extending from and mounted with respect to the handle member, the elongated probe supporting an ultrasound transducer for use in obtaining ultrasound images for use in determining the location of the elongated probe relative to surrounding anatomical structures or features; and   b. introducing the elongated probe to a desired cranial location while obtaining ultrasound images for use in assessing the position of the elongated probe relative to surrounding anatomical structures or features.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the cranial procedure is selected from the group consisting of a cranial aneurysm procedure/surgery, a vascular procedure/surgery, an intra-cranial procedure/surgery, an extra-cranial procedure/surgery, a bypass procedure/surgery and a tumor-related procedure/surgery. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 19 , further comprising providing a K-wire or guide wire that passes through a guide channel in the handle member and using the K-wire or guide wire to guide one or more further structures to a desired anatomical location. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 19 , further comprising providing a tubular member and using the elongated probe to deliver the tubular member to a desired anatomical location. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 19 , further comprising providing at least one of a curette, a probe, a knife, a suction device, a scissor, a cautery unit, forceps and a grasping device for use in conjunction with the elongated probe.